Gluten Intolerance & Celiac Disease

Many people suffer quietly from a multitude of poor health issues and have no idea that gluten could be the cause. Diagnosing and treating celiac or a gluten intolerance is something we specialize in at Red Tail Wellness.

Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac disease and your Health

Many people suffer quietly from a multitude of poor health issues and have no idea that gluten could be the cause. Essentially, when you consume gluten proteins found in wheat, barley and rye, your body reacts to as though a foreign invader has entered and begins to attack.

For those who suffer from Celiac Disease, the result of gluten consumption is a full autoimmune reaction that causes tremendous damage to the body.

Unfortunately for many, gluten is not identified as the cause of their symptoms, so they enter the endless cycle of chronic illness, misdiagnosis, harmful pharmaceuticals and deteriorating health.

Symptoms of gluten intolerance or celiac may include:

abdominal cramping, pain and bloating

constipation

diarrhea

joint pain

fatigue

itchy skin

struggles with weight gain

and many more.

Diagnosing celiac or a gluten intolerance is something we specialize in at Red Tail Wellness. We do full range of testing and look at the entire body to see where the cause of your illness is occurring. We use functional medicine to help our clients find relief and this approach, in conjunction with full dietary and nutritional counseling and guidance helps our patients suffering from gluten intolerance find relief.

But what if avoiding gluten doesn’t help you find relief?

Have you ever wondered why going gluten free hasn’t solved your problems? You may know to avoid gluten if you have the autoimmune disorder Celiac disease, but did you know current research indicates going gluten free will not solve all of your problems?

The single most important aspect of celiac and gluten sensitivity is a gluten free diet. Conventional medicine agrees that the proper treatment of Celiac disease is a gluten free diet, but that’s not enough. One of the preeminent Celiac research institutions, the University of Chicago indicated:

“While healing may take up to 2 years for many older adults, new research shows that the small intestines of up to 60% of adults never completely heal, especially when adherence to the diet is less than optimal.” University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center

Those odds are bleak! You may think that this indicates those people are not following a strict gluten free diet, right? Wrong!

A 2009 study from the Journal of Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics indicated that after studying 465 Celiac disease patients only 8% of the group reached “histological normalization” after following a strict gluten free diet for 16 months. That is, only 8% of the group regained a healthy gut! Their final conclusion: “Complete normalization of duodenal lesions is exceptionally rare in adult coeliac patients despite adherence to GFD.”

Another study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology observed 381 Celiac disease patients and found that small intestine recovery occurred in 34% of those following the 2-year, traditional gluten free diet. They said:
“Mucosal recovery was absent in a substantial portion of adults with CD after treatment with a GFD.”

That same 2009 study indicated that 65% of participants had “persistent intraepithelial lymphocytosis” which indicates widespread gut inflammation.

So if a medically supervised, 16-month gluten free prescription doesn’t heal their guts, what is the problem and what will? One of my professor always said, “the devil is in the details”, and research has concluded that the “devil” is our inability to stimulate healing to the mucosal surfaces due to uncontrolled inflammation.

These studies indicate that Celiacs struggle with an inferno of inflammation that continues to destroy their gut tissue, even with a gluten free diet. So, if gut inflammation continues, what is its significance?

For many people the damage has already been done and a gluten free diet does not eliminate their symptoms. In fact, many go on to develop neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, or more autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Colitis, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.

According to the Journal of American Medical Association in 2009, those with gluten sensitivity had a 35% increased risk of premature death as compared to a 39% increased risk of a premature death in celiac disease. Furthermore, the study indicated those patients having gut inflammation related to gluten had a staggering 72% increase risk of premature death! Gut inflammation is the devil behind these details and if it is not stopped there may be serious consequences.

But I don’t have gut symptoms! Wonderful, but remember that the majority of people with Celiac Disease and or Gluten Sensitivity do not have gastrointestinal symptoms and are therefore not checked! The British Medical Journal in 1999 emphasized this point by stating that for every patient with overt gastrointestinal signs and symptoms there are 8 other patients who do not have gut symptoms. The point of this information is that many know they have issues with gluten and many more do not. Both share the common theme of inflammation causing systemic disease and tissue destruction.

Solutions with Functional Medicine

So, how do you address the underlying issues? This is where functional medicine shines! Functional medicine goes to the source of the problem and looks at environmental, dietary, genetic and lifestyle factors that challenge normal physiology and uses a systematic approach to developing a program that corrects these issues so that you can heal yourself. This may incorporate an elimination, provocation dietary challenge, anti-inflammatory diet combined with targeted nutritional supplements.

At Red Tail Wellness we also focus on functional neurology, structural health and lifestyle choices that either increase, or decrease inflammation with suggestions and tips on how to become truly vibrant and optimally healthy!

Dr. Karen and Dr. Ian both struggled with health challenges after eliminating gluten. Their personal health stories have guided them to a place of understanding through experience. They recognize that we can all feel uncertain and helpless regarding our health.

As a result, they strive to understand and educate, as well as getting results within 1 months of care! You do not have to live a life of poor health and the most important thing for yourself is to decide that you will no longer live this way. If you want to become empowered with your health, please contact the Red Tail Wellness Centers and schedule your comprehensive initial appointment!

Let Your Health Soar

Here’s what clients have said about our program:

Diana: “I am so grateful to have found Dr. Karen Hollaman. She is caring and sincere, holds a wealth of knowledge, is determined, thorough and deeply genuine. Before finding Karen at Red Tail Wellness I was tired, often felt nauseated, foggy and depressed. I knew that my health was declining, but no doctors could seem to figure out why. I was tired of going to doctor after doctor and being misdiagnosed and put on random and very hurtful medications. When I met Karen, it immediately felt different. She welcomed me warmly, took the time to thoroughly examine me and made sure that I got a full panel of blood work. She spent time with me and it was clear that she cared about me as a person. After seeing so many doctors, this personal touch meant the world to me. Through our work together, I discovered that I have Celiacs. Karen is helping me to change my diet, treating me with natural medicine, helping my system to find balance through chiropractic work and kinesiology. Every week I am feeling better and better. I highly recommend Karen. After a long and painful road, I have finally found the answer. I am forever grateful to Karen.”

Joan: “After years of dealing with low energy, lack of stamina, multiple chemical sensitivities, G.E.R.D., nasal and food allergies, asthma, and muscle imbalances, I discovered Dr. Hollaman through a Google search, and, thankfully, since my first appointment, have never looked back. His detailed questionnaire, which I filled out, helped him to hone in on medical issues I had. Then with thorough blood, urine, spit, and stool analysis, he was able to pinpoint where I was lacking homeostasis in my body, along with confirming any medical conditions I was dealing with. With structural analysis and kinesiology, he was able to further deal with my imbalances, sensitivities and intolerances by applying expert chiropractic adjustments and muscle testing. He then coupled that with dietary change recommendations, dietary supplementation, and a vast array of other healing modalities he has in his toolbox to truly personalize my road to healing and staying healthy.

With his perceptiveness, keen analytical ability, chiropractic and medical savvy, humor, compassion, and a true willingness to listen, he was able to cut through years of unsuccessful pharmaceutical treatments and focus on natural solutions for my body to heal. Dr. Hollaman has been nothing short of a miracle worker for me. He’s helped me to get my life back after years of pain and suffering. He showed me how, that with dedication on my part, my body could heal. I couldn’t recommend Dr. Hollaman more highly for anyone who truly wants to commit to a healthy lifestyle, and a fuller, richer, more active life.”

Mike: If you have ongoing health issues you need to have addressed, Dr. Ian is the doctor for you. Over the past 8 years, I have encountered some serious health issues, namely celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, thyroid disorders, epilepsy, sinus infections, fogginess, continuously feeling tired and sluggish – all that along with a bad back and a posture that needed fixing.

I thought I was taking care of myself pretty well by exercising, following a strict gluten free diet and getting the proper rest and taking the right supplements, but even with all of my attention to my health, I was still feeling lousy. Having met with so many different specialists and going through so many tests over the years to diagnose my issues, I never really felt like I was on the right path and was continually frustrated. I happened to meet Dr. Ian at the annual Gluten Free Vendor Fair in Denver, CO and really enjoyed meeting with him and resonated with his approach to healthcare.

After having worked with Dr. Ian for the past 3 months, I now feel better than I have in years! Thank you for giving me my life back! I have more energy and many of my symptoms have all but disappeared. What I like about Dr. Ian is how he is so passionate about the holistic approach he takes in helping a person to heal him/herself. I am very impressed by his vast array of knowledge in so many areas, including functional and chiropractic medicine. He works with you on your nutrition/supplementation, your muscular and skeletal structure, your blood work/urine samples and last but not least, your overall state of mind.

With his great sense of humor, demeanor and ability to really listen to what your issues are, he is a pleasure to work with. He helps you heal your body so your body can get to the point where it naturally heals itself. We are all powerful in that we can heal ourselves, but too many things in today’s society have gotten in the way of that. Dr. Ian is a person who can take us back to our roots, where we belong. You deserve it, so call Dr. Ian if you are having difficulties with your health – I highly recommend him. He has done wonders for me. Thank you Dr. Ian!

Kris: Dr. Ian and Red Tail Wellness have been incredible. I went to Dr. Ian with gut issues, overly stressed, fatigued and just not doing very will overall. He was able to educate me on what I was experiencing, provide a plan of attack and a structured path moving forward. I began to feel better almost immediately and have developed a new awareness to how the food I take in effects by whole body (mental, physical and emotional). As a Transpersonal Counselor it is important to me to look at all parts of a person and not just a assumed symptom. Dr. Ian has maintained a curious, creative and compassionate approach during our work together. If all else fails, Dr Ian and Jennifer at the front desk always make me laugh and as we all know, laughter is great medicine! Two huge thumbs up to Red Tail Wellness!

Because it is sometimes a big commitment to schedule an initial consultation we allow a 15-minute “meet the doc” where you can get some questions answered and decide if we would be a good fit. Are you ready to let your health soar?

Gail H: When I made the decision to be treated by Dr. Ian in the fall of 2014, I had been experiencing increasingly severe digestive problems which began in 1987. I frequently experienced abdominal pain, bloating, and a severe backache and was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.

In 2006 I was placed on ulcer medication, and the dosage slowly increased. When diarrhea accompanied my other symptoms, my activities were seriously limited. In 2010 I was told that I carried the celiac gene and should avoid gluten, so I commenced a strict gluten-free diet. I had been an enthusiastic runner since the late 1970’s, but by January of 2011, I was seriously weakened both by my digestive problems and by anemia. I decided to try treatment by Dr. Ian after attending a lecture at Red Tail Wellness in September of 2014.

I was impressed by his knowledge and by his passionate concern with the subject of celiac disease. By that time my problems included persistent fatigue and difficulty in concentrating, and I had twice been treated for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. I ate constantly, but my weight kept going down. I increasingly suspected that I was not absorbing all the food I was eating. I chose a six-month program of treatment with Dr. Ian. As I was 70 years old and had had digestive problems for over 25 years, I reasoned that it might take more time for my body to recover than if I were younger and the celiac link had been discovered sooner.

Dr. Ian recommended adrenal and allergy testing and a CBC. I learned that I was again anemic and went back to a hematologist for an iron infusion. The initial Paleo-type elimination diet was unsuccessful, as it turned out that I had a serious fructose malabsorption problem and a sensitivity to beef. Dr. Ian researched, tested, and persisted. He changed my diet, testing to find foods to which I did not show sensitivity. To deal with the severe small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, I underwent four rounds of treatment with antibiotics, and Dr. Ian supplemented that treatment with natural products. As I had anticipated, results did not come rapidly, but they have been significant. I’ve gained weight and am getting steadily stronger.

My insides are working normally for the first time in, literally, decades. Starting with the FODMAP handouts from Dr. Ian, I have created a list of foods that are safe for me to eat and those that are not. That’s incredibly helpful, as in the past I was constantly getting sick and could never be certain what food I’d eaten that caused the problem. While my diet is narrow, I find it wonderful to be able to eat without the fear of the sudden onset of digestive problems that could last for days or weeks. I look healthy, and my friends are commenting on the change.

My experience with Dr. Ian has been incredibly positive. He is knowledgeable, passionate about the health of his patients, and willing to research, think, and experiment to find a solution. He is not arrogant, and he does not use a “one size fits all” approach. He is willing to work with the traditional medicine system to ensure the best results. Most of all, he is caring.

Nicole A: I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (Celiac) about 5 years ago. It took me 10 years to get diagnosed, and even after the diagnosis I was still suffering debilitating symptoms. Dr Ian has an incredible breadth of knowledge and experience and is truly able to facilitate a healing process on both a mental and physical level.

He was able to look at the whole picture if you will, and as a result I feel the best I have ever felt in my whole life! I spent 6 months working with him multiple times a week, and it was certainly one of the best decisions and investments that I’ve ever made.

Please contact the Red Tail Wellness Centers using the form below to make your appointment today!

Gluten & Your Health

All About Gluten

We have a ton of articles written by our doctors about gluten-free lifestyles, Celiac disease and why it matters to you. Please click this button to expand your knowledge about gluten and understand why it’s so important to us at Red Tail.